We really liked the Self-Heating Latte from Wolfgang Puck, but it looks like the cans are now exploding, melting or not heating up the coffee enough to create the “fresh-brewed” latte the technology promised. And this week they were officially recalled. Ouch! You can read the full deal at Bevnet.

Launched to great fanfare in the spring of 2005, the lattes quickly made it to the shelves of thousands of stores, including large, end of aisle displays in Kroger and Albertson’s supermarkets and Sam’s Club warehouse stores. But in less than a year, the team that produced the innovative product has fallen apart.

Consumer complaints have ranged from the product’s failure to reach an appropriately hot temperature to it actually overheating, spurting product from the can, leaking out of the can, or the calcium oxide heating mechanism adulterating the coffee itself, according to Groux.

“We have reports of chunks of white product, which we believe to be calcium oxide, that was found in the product, which means the heating element most likely leaked,” Groux said. “We have complaints of can meltdowns, curdled product, sour product, leaking cans.” Last month, a Las Vegas woman named Dee Harris claimed she had been badly burned by one of the drinks when she activated it in her hotel room. She claims it overheated and then blew up, sending her to the hospital. “I went to pick it up, but it was too hot,” Harris said. “I pulled my hand off of it, it exploded. It was just sitting on the counter, no one had touched it. It just blew all over everything.”

April 27, 2006

Okay - so we don't smoke and drink coffee here at Single Serve Coffee, but we sure do like our Jim Jarmusch movies served up with a little Joe. We really enjoyed the Tom Waits/Iggy Pop segment and the Kate Blanchett piece. What the movie was lacking for our tastes, was a little segment with someone at home and a single serve coffee maker. Perhaps in the sequel Jim Jarmusch will get it right. :-)

About the movie:

A comic series of short vignettes built on one another to create a cumulative effect, as the characters discuss things as diverse as caffeine popsicles, Paris in the '20s, and the use of nicotine as an insecticide--all the while sitting around sipping coffee and smoking cigarettes. As director Jim Jarmusch delves into the normal pace of our world from an extraordinary angle, he shows just how absorbing the obsessions, joys and addictions of life can be, if truly observed.

April 24, 2006

We've been growing by leaps and bounds here at SingleServeCoffee.com and wanted to make sure everyone knows about our amazing forums. The Single Serve Coffee Forums have been around since mid summer last year and have grown to over 800+ dedicated single serve coffee drinkers along with over 10,000+ posts on various single serve coffee topics. We encourage you to sign up and get involved.

Here's a few of the amazing types of posts and people you can find at the Forums.

April 20, 2006

We've been a pretty big fan of the Aerobie Aeropress (you can read our full review here) and it looks like the inventive single serve coffee maker is finally starting to get the attention it deserves.

Sixty-seven-year-old Alan Adler of Los Altos admits he wasn't much of a coffee lover. In fact, more times than not, it just upset his stomach. But that didn't dissuade this electronics engineer, who rocketed to success for his line of wildly popular boomerang-type toys, from doing what comes naturally -- tinkering.

The result? One mighty fine cup of joe.

Adler, a Stanford University lecturer and inventor of the Aerobie flying ring, has created a simple, efficient and compact $30 coffee maker that doesn't have to be plugged in. This new invention, his first food-related product, brews what he swears is the best cup of java you've ever had.

April 17, 2006

We would have never expected such a drink unless we had seen it with our own eyes yeseterday at a local Target. Yep - that's right - Coca Cola meets Single Serve Coffee in BlaK - pronounced "Black". The tagline is also a bit mind blowing - Coke Effervescence meets Coffee essense.

Blak has more caffeine in it than a typical can of Coke and is priced at $1.75 for an 8 ounce bottle. Now we're not talking as much as a nice shot or two of espresso, but definitely more. We tried a little taste and found it to be quite good. It's really not that sweet and is much better than say a Starbuck's bottle drink because of being less sweet.

Coca-Cola Blāk is an invigorating and stimulating blend that has a perfect balance of the effervescent taste sensation of Coca-Cola and natural flavors, with real coffee. The lightly carbonated, mid-calorie beverage, which is designed to appeal to adult consumers, is yet another example how The Coca-Cola Company reaches out to new audiences and addresses new beverage occasions.

"Coca-Cola BlaK is not just a flavor extension. It is a blend of unique Coke refreshment with the true essence of coffee and has a rich smooth texture and has a coffee-like froth when poured. We believe we have created a new category of soft drink – an adult product in a carbonated beverage – and a whole new drinking experience. This brand is ideal for any part of the day when people are looking for renewed energy or simply to take a break," said Marc Mathieu, vice president, Global Core Brands, The Coca-Cola Company.

We think if you'd like to try some BlaK - try your local Target or visit BlaK online.

April 15, 2006

We want to wish everyone out egg or Nespresso capsule hunting a very happy and caffeine rich Easter weekend. Single Serve Coffee will return on Tuesday after the holiday weekend refreshed and very caffeinated with new coffee pod reviews, k-cup reviews, and other Single Serve Coffee pleasures.

April 14, 2006

One of the things everyone here at Single Serve Coffee never expected was how big of an impact Single Serve Coffee would have on the little ones. Recently, the staff decided that though it was fun testing K-Cup and Pod coffee and letting a two year old mix in sugar and milk and do a little stirring, it might also be fun for that same two year old to have their own imaginary coffee each morning as well.

We set out on a journey to find a toy coffee maker for our Single Serve daughter and well - they all have coffee pots. Okay - we know we shouldn't be surprised they all have coffee pots, but we are Single Serve Coffee drinkers, and we like it single - not in pots.

We did happen to find an amazing little wooden set that also appeared to have a ring and in the top much like a coffee pod, and came with cream, sugar, and very nice spoon. The staff decided that this would be the perfect pot. The funny thing is what happened next SHOULD HAVE BEEN expected but of course we never saw it coming.

Upon opening the coffee set, our two year old started to pour water in the back with the coffee pot and then set it aside. Huh? Next took the coffee pod like wooden shape and put it in the top, and then put a mug right on the burner where the pot would go. She then looked up and said, "I'm making coffee. Coffee pods. K-Cups. I'm making coffee like you." So, perhaps if you're two year old has never seen a coffee pot, then you'll have a make believe Single Serve Coffee drinker.

Interested in getting your own little one started on Single Serve Coffee? Check out BabyStyle for the coffee set above. We didn't have any luck online but they may have it in their stores.

April 13, 2006

We know SingleServeCoffee.com isn't an entertainment rag but we do love our coffee and Clooney. So, when the two meet - we have to cover it. George Clooney – who has sold Martini, Budweiser and Nescafe – has defended his choice to appear in television adverts and has singled out Nespresso as, "It's really classy".

The actor explained he was not above commercials as long as they were good quality.
"You want to have a product you are proud of and not embarrassed by," he commented, saying of his latest work for Nespresso: "It's really classy."
"You don't want to do ones that aren't classy," continued the star. "That's the truth. That's the secret to it."
Clooney also revealed respect for the work that goes into adverts.
"I've never directed a commercial but I think it seems to be a lot harder to do a commercial." He said a movie gives much more time to tell a story. "A commercial has to be much more about the visual style and has to happen very quickly."

April 5, 2006

The entire Single Serve Coffee community recently found out that a dedicated Single Serve Coffee "evelbug" community member was going on another 3 month tour with the United States Air Force to the Middle East. We're excited to say the donated Krups Single Serve Coffee Maker and a ton of coffee pods to choose from has arrived and we've got single serve coffee being served we're thinking on the hour every hour in what evelbug calls “Café Bug”!

Update 1: I made it in here Sunday night. Once I landed, I was told that I had some packages waiting for me. It would appear that the packages you sent had beat me here. Tonight is my first night of work, so I haven’t had a chance to open them up. I will get everything set up once I get off of work today. By tomorrow, I should be able to have a nice cup of coffee to take into work with me. (Beats the industrial sludge the have here) The message board is blocked from here as I was expecting, So I’ll have to have you pass on my thanks to everyone who donated.

Update 2: As another update, I got the coffeemaker set up and Maxine’s package did arrive. I currently have about half the coffee unpacked and organized. Now, I just need to find somewhere to store the rest. (or start drinking really fast J ) Tomorrow is my day off, so I most likely won’t be able to blink. . . I’ve included a pic of “Café Bug”

March 22, 2006

Everyone here at Single Serve Coffee.com is aware of the huge contribution our troops are making on the war in Iraq and we also know they shouldn't have to drink "drip" coffee. Yuck! We recently found out that a dedicated Single Serve Coffee "evelbug" is going on another 3 month tour with the United States Air Force and the entire Single Serve Coffee Forums community has rallied around making sure he has Krups Single Serve Coffee Maker and a ton of coffee pods to choose from while serving his country overseas.

Jim: I purchased a opus coffee maker and liked the sample read moreStephanie: I would like to know why grocery stores do not read moreNancy: I want to buy this lid read moreXelleld: I don't think they sell it nationwide. It only seems read moreBatman: I agree! The Junior Mints K cup is the best read more